Rosemary essential oil authorized in EU feed: what manufacturers and farmers must do

Key data

Feed manufacturers and additive producers in the EU have a new authorization on the table that opens up reformulation opportunities, but also imposes specific compliance obligations. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2113, published on 24 September 2026, gives the green light to rosemary essential oil obtained from Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. as an additive in feed intended for all animal species.

The authorization is framed within Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, the European framework that regulates additives in animal nutrition. It has a renewable temporary character, which means that companies must be alert to renewal deadlines to avoid losing the legal coverage of their products.

What does this regulation establish?

The regulation formalizes the authorization of rosemary essential oil as an additive in two categories of use:

• Zootechnical additive: aimed at improving the productive performance of animals.
• Sensorial additive: aimed at improving the organoleptic characteristics of feed (aroma, palatability).

The authorization is valid for all animal species, which extends the scope to the entire livestock population: poultry, pigs, ruminants, aquaculture, companion animals and other species.

The conditions established by the regulation are binding and cover three main areas:

As this is a renewable temporary authorization, companies that incorporate this additive in their formulations must manage the renewal process before the authorized period expires, following the procedure established in Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

Economic and operational impact

This authorization has a dual reading for companies in the sector:

Market opportunity: Rosemary essential oil is an ingredient with growing demand in natural feed formulations and those without growth-promoting antibiotics. The formal authorization opens the door to its legal and documented use throughout the EU, which can translate into new product lines and commercial differentiation.

Adaptation cost: Companies that were already using this ingredient without formal coverage, or that want to incorporate it now, must assume operational costs on three fronts:

• Review and update of formulations to adjust dosages to authorized limits.
• Redesign of labels for affected additives and compound feeds.
• Update of technical documentation and regulatory compliance records.

The risk of inaction is clear: non-compliance with the authorized conditions may result in market withdrawal of the affected products and the opening of administrative penalty proceedings. Both consequences have a direct economic and reputational impact on the company.

Who does it affect?

The regulation impacts the entire value chain of animal nutrition in the EU:

• Additive manufacturers: must ensure that the rosemary essential oil they market complies with the authorized technical and safety specifications, and that its labeling is compliant.
• Compound feed manufacturers: must review and adapt formulations that incorporate or will incorporate this additive, ensuring that dosages are within authorized limits and that the labeling of the final feed is correct.
• Livestock farms: those that produce their own feed or mixtures on the farm must verify that the use of this additive complies with the authorized conditions.
• Importers and distributors of additives: must ensure that the products they market in the EU comply with the new authorization.

Practical example

A poultry feed manufacturer that currently uses rosemary essential oil as a flavoring in its broiler feed range must, as a result of this regulation, perform the following checks before continuing to market that product:

1. Verify that the dose of rosemary essential oil in its formulation is within the limits authorized by Regulation 2026/2113 for use as a sensorial additive in poultry.
2. Review the labeling of the compound feed to ensure that the mention of the additive complies with the formal requirements established.
3. Update the product technical sheet and internal regulatory compliance records, including reference to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2113.
4. Request from its additive supplier the documentation that proves that the rosemary essential oil supplied complies with the regulation's specifications.

If it does not make these adaptations, the product could be subject to inspection and, in case of non-compliance, to market withdrawal and administrative sanction.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify affected products: review the catalog of additives and compound feeds containing rosemary essential oil (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.) to determine which fall within the scope of the regulation.
2. Verify dosage compliance: check that current formulations respect the dosage limits established in Regulation 2026/2113 for each authorized use (zootechnical or sensorial) and animal species.
3. Update labeling: adapt the labels of affected additives and compound feeds to comply with the formal requirements of the regulation. Coordinate with the marketing and production areas to manage label changes in stock.
4. Update technical documentation: review technical sheets, product specifications and internal regulatory compliance records to include reference to the new regulation.
5. Manage the supplier chain: request from rosemary essential oil suppliers the documentation that proves compliance with the authorized technical specifications.
6. Plan for renewal: given that the authorization is renewable temporary, establish an alert system to manage the renewal process before the authorized period expires, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202602113